The Underground Railroad records : narrating the hardships, hairbreadth escapes, and death struggles of the slaves in their efforts for freedom / William Still ; edited by Quincy T. Mills ; introduction by Ta-Nehisi Coates.
Originally published as: The underground rail road : a record of facts, authentic narratives, letters, &c., narrating the hardships, hair-breadth escapes, and death struggles of the slaves in their efforts for freedom, as related by themselves and others or witnessed by the author : together with sketches of some of the largest stockholders and most liberal aiders and advisers of the road. Philadelphia : Porter & Coates, 1872. Revised edition published: Philadelphia: People's publishing company, 1879, 1879 and William Still, 1883.
Contents:
Seth Concklin -- Underground railroad letters -- William Peel -- Wesley Harris -- Clarissa Davis -- Anthony Blow -- Perry Johnson -- Ex-President Tyler's household loses an aristocratic "article" -- Edward Morgan, Henry Johnson, James and Stephen Butler -- Henry Predo -- Mary Epps, alias Emma Brown, Joseph and Robert Robinson -- Henry Box Brown -- Trial of the emancipators... Jae Johnson and her two little boys -- A slave girl's narrative -- Arrival of Jackson, Isaac, and Edmonsdson Turner from Petersburg -- Robert Brown -- Barnaby Grigby and his wife: Frank Wanzer; Emily Foster -- William Jordon Joseph Grant and John Speaks -- Willim N. Taylor -- Arrival from Richmond [Charles Thompson -- Blood flowed freely -- Escape of a young slave mother -- Samuel W. Johnson -- Two female passengers from Maryland -- Captain F. and the mayor of Norfolk -- Arrivals from different places -- "Fleeing girl..." in male attire -- Charles Gilbert -- Saly-water fugitive ---- Samuel Green -- An Irish girl's devotion to freedom -- "Sam" Nixon -- -- The protection of slave property in Virginia -- Escaping in a chest -- Isaac Williams, Henry Banks, Kit Nickless -- "Pete Matthews" -- "Moses" arrives with six passengers -- Slave-holder in Maryland with three colored wives -- The Fugitive Slave Bill of 1850 -- The slave-hunting tragedy ...1851 -- William and Ellen Craft -- Arrival from Delaware, 1857 -- Arrival from New Orleans, 1857 -- Arrival from Washington, D.C. -- Arrival from Maryland --Arrival from Alexandria -- Arrival from Norfolk, Va. -- Arrival from North Carolina, 1957 -- [Properties of] Hon. L. McLane and Wm. Knight, Esq. -- Arrival from Hightstown, 1858 -- Arrival from Virginia, 1858 -- Crossing the bay in a skiff -- Arrival from Delaware, 1858 -- Arrival from Maryland, 1859 --Arrival from Virginia, 1860 -- Crossing the bay in a batteau -- Arrival from Dorchester Co., 1860 -- Arrival from Richmond -- "Aunt Hannah Moore" -- Woman escaping in a box, 1857 -- Organization of the Vigilance Committee.
Summary:
"A riveting collection of the hardships, hairbreadth escapes, and mortal struggles of enslaved people seeking freedom: These are the true stories of the Underground Railroad. Featuring a powerful introduction by Ta-Nehisi Coates As a conductor for the Underground Railroad -- the covert resistance network created to aid and protect slaves seeking freedom -- William Still helped as many as eight hundred people escape enslavement. He also meticulously collected the letters, biographical sketches, arrival memos, and ransom notes of the escapees. The Underground Railroad Records is an archive of primary documents that trace the narrative arc of the greatest, most successful campaign of civil disobedience in American history. This edition highlights the remarkable creativity, resilience, and determination demonstrated by those trying to subvert bondage. It is a timeless testament to the power we all have to challenge systems that oppress us." -- Back cover.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.